What do you think are the positive and negative aspects of your country’s education system?

Would you prefer to live in the city or in the countryside and why?

SKILL Describing a place, event or situation.

Could you describe the village/town/city in which you grew up’?

What happens during (cultural event, such as Chinese New Your/Christmas) in your country?

Could you tell me how you like to spend your leisure time?

SKILL Comparing places, events or situations

How is (city where candidate is studying) different from (candidate’s home city)?

What is the difference between shopping in (city where candidate is studying) and shopping in (candidate’s home city)

What do you like most about living in (city where candidate is studying)?

How does that compare with (candidate’s home city)?

SKILL You should be able to give directions and instructions.

Could you tell me, in detail, how you got from your home to the test centre this morning?

If I had to catch a train or bus in (home city candidate’s) what would I do?

If I were to meet (an important older person) in your culture, how should I greet them to be polite and show respect?

SKILL You should be able to re-tell a story or a sequence of events.

What happens in (an important festival) in your country?

What is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?

What did you do when you were preparing to leave Russia to come to Australia?

SKILL Explaining how or why something is done.

Why do people do that? (referring to something just mentioned)

Could you tell me more about the procedure involved in (the topic under discussion)?

How do people celebrate the New Year in Russia?

Also questions you may be asked:

Where were you born?

What part of the city do you line in?

What are the main tourist attractions in your country?

Where have you studied English?

How many brothers and sisters have you got?

What’s the climate like in your country?

What are typical working hours in your country?

What aspect of English do you find most difficult?

Have you been collecting for a long time?

What is the biggest social problem in your country?

What sports are played in your country?

Could you describe the traditional architecture of your country?

What role does religion have in everyday life in your country?

What would you regard as the most significant events in your country’s recent history?

How aware do you think people are nowadays about environmental issues?

What are sporting facilities like in your home town?

What role does tourism play in your country’s economy?

How serious is unemployment in your country?

Can you describe one of the main festivals celebrated in your country?

In your opinion what are the most serious problems associated with modern city life?

If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change?

Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in?

Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live?

Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Neighbors are the people who live near us.

In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor?

What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)?

A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age?

A gift (such as a camera, a soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute to a child's development. What gift would you give to help a child develop? Why?

Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building?

Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors. Other people prefer to spend their leisure time indoors. Would you prefer to be outside or would you prefer to be inside for your leisure activities?

Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would you use this land?

Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved.

Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done. Other people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace. Which do you prefer?

If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why?

Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine. What is one kind of plant that is important to you or the people in your country?

People remember special gifts or presents that they have received. Why?

People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for good health?

People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music important to many people?

Holidays honor people or events. If you could create a new holiday, what person or event would it honor and how would you want people to celebrate it?

When choosing a place to live, what do you consider most important: location, size, style, number of rooms, types of rooms, or other features?

Because of developments in communication and transportation, countries are becoming more and more alike. How is your country becoming more similar to other places in the world?